Finding the Right Job: Stay-at-Home Dad Edition

Finding the Right Job: Stay-at-Home Dad Edition

Finding flexible work that can be done from home while you are a stay-at-home dad can feel like a tough ask. You need something that allows you to care for your kids while bringing in decent money. Fortunately, finding that might not be as hard as you think. Check out these ideas from The Dad Hoodie for how to get you into a career that will keep both you and your kids happy.

Find Freelance Work

If you have a skill set that can be turned into freelance work such as editing, website design or writing, you’re in luck. There are several online marketplaces for you to advertise your work on. Some websites allow you to set up gigs at the price you want that potential clients can purchase. Other marketplaces allow businesses or individuals to post projects that freelancers can then bid on. 

Start Your Own Business

If you are reluctant to pay fees to use online marketplaces, you can set up a business for your freelance work on your own terms. A benefit to this is you can set your own rates for your services, but the downside is you have to do your own advertising, as your services cannot be found by clients via a marketplace. 

Starting a home business can be a savvy idea for someone not looking to invest a lot upfront. Many popular home business ideas, such as dropshipping and teaching online classes, require minimal startup money but can be lucrative, flexible ways of earning money. If you are crafty, you may want to design and create items to sell on online marketplaces such as Etsy or Amazon Handmade. 

You'll need to set up a website and social media pages. Surveys show that almost three-quarters of all small businesses have a website. If you don't have the money to hire a professional website designer or social media manager, you'll have to take these tasks on yourself. There are many website building platforms available that even newbies can easily build websites on, though, and there are many online resources to help you effectively utilize social media in your business. 

Depending on where you live, you may need to formally register as a business. Research business laws in your state to see what obligations you have when forming a business. 

Go Back to School

If there’s a particular career path you’d like to pursue, consider enrolling in an online degree program that can get you closer to your goals. Many programs allow you to complete schoolwork at a flexible pace that works for you, and there are affordable options out there for every interest and skill set.

A degree in business administration can be put to use in many fields, including opening your own business. Accounting degrees can give you the skills to play with numbers from the comfort of your own home as a bookkeeping contractor or independent financial advisor.

Research the programs available in your field of choice so that you don’t apply to overpriced or unaccredited schools. Read reviews, check accreditation and talk to current faculty or students before committing to a specific program.

Getting into the right career doesn't have to be difficult, even when you've got kids to manage while you do it. Do your research and think deeply about what the best move for you and your family is. Once you've made the decision, take the leap and do the work to get you where you want to be.